Threshold Filtering

Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).

Continuous Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold Sensor Type
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 6600 Series
Salinity ppt 0 70 6600 Series
Salinity ppt 0 70 YSI EXOs
Salinity ppt 0 70 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 YSI EXOs
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 6600 Series
pH pH 2 14 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
pH pH 2 14 6600 Series
pH pH 2 14 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 6600 Series
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0 100 6600 Series
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0 200 YSI EXOs
Turbidity NTU 0 4000 YSI EXOs
Turbidity NTU 0 1000 6600 Series
Turbidity NTU 0 4000 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Discrete Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0.000001 22
Salinity ppt 0 70
Water Temperature Degrees C 3 40
pH 2 13
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0.000001 310
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0.005000001 100
Turbidity NTU 0 -
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/L 0 -
Chlorophyll a uncorrected for pheophytin ug/L 0 -
Chlorophyll a corrected for pheophytin ug/L 0 -
Secchi Depth m 0.000001 50
Light Extinction Coefficient m^1 0 -
Colored dissolved organic matter, CDOM PCU 0 -
Fluorescent dissolved organic matter, FDOM QSE 0 -
Total Nitrogen mg/L 0 -
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen TKN mg/L 0 -
NO2+3 Filtered mg/L 0 -
NH4 Filtered mg/L 0 -
Total Phosphorus mg/L 0 -
PO4 Filtered mg/L 0 -
Ammonia- Un-ionized (NH3) mg/L 0 -
Nitrate (N) mg/L 0 -
Nitrite (N) mg/L 0 -
Nitrogen, organic mg/L 0 -
Quality Assurance Flags inserted based on threshold checks listed in Table 1 & 2
SEACAR QAQC Description Include SEACAR QAQCFlagCode
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Not verified in raw data No 2Q
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Verified in raw data No 3Q
Below Minimum threshold. Not verified in raw data No 4Q
Below Minimum threshold. Verified in raw data No 5Q
Within threshold tolerance Yes 6Q
No defined thresholds for this parameter Yes 7Q

Value Qualifiers

Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.

STORET and WIN value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.

Value Qualifier codes excluded from analysis
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include MDL Description
STORET-WIN H No 0 Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate
STORET-WIN J No 0 Estimated value
STORET-WIN V No 0 Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit
STORET-WIN Y No 0

Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers

The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.

H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.

S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported

Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.

SWMP Value Qualifier codes
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include Description
SWMP -1 Yes Optional parameter not collected
SWMP -2 No Missing data
SWMP -3 No Data rejected due to QA/QC
SWMP -4 No Outside low sensor range
SWMP -5 No Outside high sensor range
SWMP 0 Yes Passed initial QA/QC checks
SWMP 1 No Suspect data
SWMP 2 Yes Reserved for future use
SWMP 3 Yes
SWMP 4 Yes Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC
SWMP 5 Yes Corrected data

Water Column

The water column habitat extends from the surface of all water bodies to the bottom sediments and encompasses the different features found in the water at different depths (National Oceanographic Center, 2016). The water column habitat must be viewed in relation to its interconnectedness with other habitats. A healthy water column is an integral component in ensuring a healthy marine and coastal ecosystem. Having a flourishing marine and coastal ecosystem in Florida is necessary to support a strong economy. The health of the water column is dependent upon factors as diverse as land use (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry practices); human population growth; emissions, (e.g., power plants, automobiles, wastewater); climate (e.g., rainfall, temperature, winds and currents); and decadal trends (e.g., El Niño/La Niña, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, climate change).

The water column is composed of various physical, chemical and biological features, and only a small number of them are adequately monitored. Features of the water column that are monitored are used as indicators of the water column health and help assess the status of other habitats. These indicators include nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus); water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and pH); water clarity (Secchi depth, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter); and nekton (fish, macroinvertebrates and megafauna).

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE.

Water Quality - Discrete

The following files were used in the discrete analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2024-Feb-22.txt

Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Chlorophyll-a is monitored as a measure of microalgae growing in the water. Algae are a natural part of coastal and aquatic ecosystems but in excess can cause poor water quality and clarity, and decreased levels of dissolved oxygen.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 3918 1995 2023
514 212 2020 2023
540 131 2017 2022
477 129 2019 2022
103 10 2020 2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1999 99 5 5.0 10 10.1
2000 93 2 2.1 46 49.5
2001 100 4 4.0 3 3.0 42 42.0
2002 121 4 3.3 8 6.6 61 50.4
2003 53 1 1.9 2 3.8 52 98.1
2004 64 6 9.4 61 95.3
2005 70 9 12.9 45 64.3
2006 81 4 4.9 73 90.1
2007 46 13 28.3 19 41.3
2008 50 27 54.0 13 26.0
2009 65 34 52.3 22 33.9
2010 82 37 45.1 35 42.7
2011 197 78 39.6 23 11.7
2012 167 60 35.9 33 19.8
2013 198 41 20.7 22 11.1 76 38.4
2014 238 43 18.1 17 7.1 82 34.5
2015 203 31 15.3 14 6.9 83 40.9
2016 253 40 15.8 13 5.1 102 40.3
2017 297 85 28.6 1 0.3 49 16.5
2018 365 88 24.1 33 9.0
2019 220 42 19.1 32 14.6
2020 228 58 25.4 18 7.9 83 36.4
2021 317 100 31.6 28 8.8 102 32.2
2022 310 78 25.2 22 7.1 131 42.3
2023 125 36 28.8 3 2.4 24 19.2

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program

Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 4917 1990 2023
514 499 2001 2023
103 260 2000 2021
540 131 2017 2022
477 129 2019 2022
118 8 2000 2006
115 7 2000 2004
5008 1 2021 2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
2007 157 8 5.1
2008 131 1 0.8 16 12.2
2009 121 28 23.1 11 9.1
2010 211 44 20.9 1 0.5 27 12.8
2011 182 43 23.6 9 5.0
2012 127 29 22.8 10 7.9
2013 146 37 25.3 16 11.0 37 25.3
2014 150 36 24.0 16 10.7 50 33.3
2015 149 41 27.5 15 10.1 51 34.2
2016 250 51 20.4 13 5.2 64 25.6
2017 382 65 17.0 1 0.3 24 6.3
2018 448 63 14.1 16 3.6
2019 277 33 11.9 22 7.9
2020 237 51 21.5 15 6.3 48 20.2
2021 535 65 12.2 29 5.4 104 19.4
2022 318 77 24.2 22 6.9 115 36.2
2023 125 23 18.4 3 2.4 21 16.8

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program

Colored Dissolved Organic Matter - Discrete Water Quality

Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) occurs naturally in every water body. It is made up of mainly plant material, algae and bacteria. The composition is determined by its source; plants, soil, algae, and wastewater are common sources.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 1332 2014 2023
514 828 2001 2023
477 159 2017 2023
540 99 2017 2019
5008 30 2021 2023

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
2017 74 7 9.5 1 1.4 1 1.4
2018 106 2 1.9
2019 60 6 10.0 2 3.3 2 3.3
2020 452 6 1.3 14 3.1 8 1.8
2021 523 8 1.5 32 6.1 12 2.3
2022 503 10 2.0 11 2.2 16 3.2
2023 50 7 14.0 5 10.0 2 4.0

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a key indicator of water quality. Oxygen enters surface waters by air-sea gas exchange, by wind action, or as a byproduct of aquatic plant photosynthesis. The actual quantity of DO in aquatic environments is dependent on the above processes as well as water temperature and salinity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 93356 1989 2023
69 42800 1996 2017
95 955 1985 2018
103 158 2003 2021
477 156 2019 2023
540 121 2017 2022
60 78 1986 2015
115 38 1991 2004
5008 30 2021 2023
118 7 2000 2006

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
60 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Fall & Summer Shrimp/Groundfish Survey
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen
Year N_Total N_Q perc_Q
2014 6787 1 0

Note: 1Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 1086 1999 2023
477 156 2019 2023
5008 30 2021 2023
95 3 2016 2018

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation in Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve

pH - Discrete Water Quality

The pH of water is the measure of how acidic or basic the water body is on a scale of 0-14, with lower readings indicating acidic and higher readings indicating basic, and a pH of 7 being neutral. Florida’s natural waters fall between 6.5 and 8.5 on this scale. A water body’s pH can change due to precipitation, geology, vegetation, water pollution and air pollution.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for pH
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for pH
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 51551 1989 2023
69 42723 1996 2017
95 591 1964 2018
477 160 2012 2023
103 156 2003 2021
540 85 2017 2022
115 38 1991 2004
5008 30 2021 2023

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for pH in Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve

Salinity - Discrete Water Quality

Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in the water. In estuarine ecosystems, salinity is influenced by precipitation, evaporation, surface-water inputs, and exchange with coastal waters.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Salinity
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Salinity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 97269 1990 2023
69 42940 1996 2017
560 1374 2003 2023
95 1069 1964 2018
477 137 2014 2022
540 132 2017 2022
60 78 1986 2015
118 51 2015 2021
115 38 1991 2004
103 5 2003 2004

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
560 - Big Bend Seagrasses & Nature Coast Aquatic Preserves - Seagrass Monitoring
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
60 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Fall & Summer Shrimp/Groundfish Survey
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Salinity in Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve

Secchi Depth - Discrete Water Quality

Secchi depth is a measure of the transparency or clarity of the water by a device called a Secchi disk. A Secchi disk is a black and white disk that is lowered into the water on a cord. The Secchi depth is the depth at which the disk can no longer be seen. The deeper the Secchi depth, the greater the water clarity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Secchi Depth
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Secchi Depth
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
69 42930 1996 2017
514 2081 1993 2023
5002 1996 1999 2023
477 155 2019 2023
103 47 2020 2021
115 21 1991 2004
5008 15 2021 2022
60 9 1986 2014

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region
60 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Fall & Summer Shrimp/Groundfish Survey

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Secchi Depth
Year N_Total N_S perc_S
2013 2794 5 0.2
2014 2797 29 1.0
2015 2759 34 1.2
2016 2790 69 2.5
2017 2813 42 1.5
2018 150 17 11.3
2019 66 21 31.8
2020 178 68 38.2
2021 268 75 28.0
2022 210 100 47.6
2023 47 29 61.7

Note: 1S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program

Total Nitrogen - Discrete Water Quality

Nitrogen and Phosphorous are key nutrients that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of aquatic plants and animals; however, excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms and other water quality concerns. Nutrients enter water bodies several ways, including runoff from rain events and atmospheric deposition from natural and industrial sources.

Total Nitrogen Calculation:

The logic for calculated Total Nitrogen was provided by Kevin O’Donnell and colleagues at FDEP (with the help of Jay Silvanima, Watershed Monitoring Section). The following logic is used, in this order, based on the availability of specific nitrogen components.

  1. TN = TKN + NO3O2;
  2. TN = TKN + NO3 + NO2;
  3. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3O2;
  4. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO2 + NO3;
  5. TN = TKN + NO3;
  6. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3;

Additional Information:

  • Rules for use of sample fraction:
    • FDEP report that if both “Total” and “Dissolved” are reported, only “Total” is used. If the total is not reported, they do use dissolved as a best available replacement.
    • An analysis of all SEACAR data shows that 90% of all possible TN calculations can be done using nitrogen components with the same sample fraction, rather than use nitrogen components with mixed total/dissolved sample fractions. In other words, TN can be calculated when TKN and NO3O2 are both total sample fraction, or when both are dissolved sample fraction. This is important, because then the calculated TN value is not based on components with mixed sample fractions.
  • Values inserted into data:
    • ParameterName = “Total Nitrogen”
    • SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode = “1Q”
    • SEACAR_QAQC_Description = “SEACAR Calculated”
      Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
      Discrete Water Quality
      Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Nitrogen
      Discrete Water Quality
      The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site
Programs contributing data for Total Nitrogen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 5383 1990 2023
514 2163 1993 2023
540 131 2017 2022
103 44 2000 2006
115 5 2000 2004
5008 1 2021 2021
477 1 2017 2017

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Nitrogen
Year N_Total N_Q perc_Q
2013 283 13 4.6
2014 324 28 8.6
2015 283 18 6.4
2016 310 7 2.3
2019 273 10 3.7
2020 149 25 16.8
2021 224 24 10.7
2022 210 3 1.4

Note: 1Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Phosphorus - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Phosphorus
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Phosphorus
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 3447 1992 2023
514 2169 1993 2023
103 169 2000 2021
477 159 2017 2023
540 131 2017 2022
115 5 2000 2004
5008 1 2021 2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Phosphorus
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1999 138 1 0.7
2000 171 2 1.2 2 1.2
2001 222 7 3.1
2002 248 4 1.6
2003 187 10 5.3
2005 223 13 5.8 1 0.4
2006 232 18 7.8 3 1.3
2007 173 3 1.7
2010 178 11 6.2 1 0.6
2011 298 41 13.8
2012 257 8 3.1
2014 283 4 1.4
2015 242 5 2.1 3 1.2
2016 289 10 3.5
2017 400 13 3.2
2018 453 21 4.6 1 0.2
2019 290 13 4.5 10 3.5
2020 222 13 5.9 30 13.5
2021 396 13 3.3 20 5.0 1 0.2
2022 266 18 6.8 3 1.1 1 0.4
2023 128 5 3.9

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program

Total Suspended Solids - Discrete Water Quality

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are solid particles suspended in water that exceed 2 microns in size and can be trapped by a filter.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Suspended Solids
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Suspended Solids
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 2816 1990 2023
477 20 2021 2023
103 12 2020 2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Suspended Solids
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1998 44 9 20.4
1999 88 2 2.3 33 37.5
2000 149 1 0.7 63 42.3
2001 146 4 2.7 77 52.7
2002 84 11 13.1 65 77.4
2003 73 12 16.4 60 82.2
2004 63 10 15.9 1 1.6 53 84.1
2005 79 16 20.2 60 76.0
2006 101 22 21.8 67 66.3
2007 60 4 6.7 54 90.0
2008 63 9 14.3 54 85.7
2009 74 21 28.4 5 6.8 53 71.6
2010 75 34 45.3 40 53.3
2011 197 96 48.7 29 14.7
2012 83 63 75.9 18 21.7
2013 86 68 79.1 16 18.6
2014 103 58 56.3 42 40.8
2015 92 50 54.4 42 45.6
2016 147 119 81.0 1 0.7 25 17.0
2017 105 73 69.5 27 25.7
2018 53 38 71.7 1 1.9 15 28.3
2019 27 19 70.4 6 22.2
2020 50 24 48.0 20 40.0
2021 91 36 39.6 1 1.1 40 44.0
2022 141 52 36.9 87 61.7
2023 36 19 52.8 15 41.7

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program

Turbidity - Discrete Water Quality

Turbidity results from suspended solids in the water, including silts, clays, tannins, industrial wastes, sewage and plankton, which are all factors that contribute to how clouded or murky a water column is. Turbidity is caused by soil erosion, excess nutrients, pollutants, and physical forces such as winds, currents and bottom feeders.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Turbidity
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Turbidity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 42389 1990 2023
477 314 2017 2023
103 116 2005 2021
540 35 2019 2022

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Turbidity
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1999 1704 1 0.1
2000 1960 1 0.0
2001 2054 1 0.0
2002 2030 2 0.1 2 0.1
2004 2199 4 0.2
2005 1931 2 0.1
2006 2312 2 0.1
2007 2481 2 0.1 1 0.0
2008 2698 1 0.0
2010 2025 5 0.2 2 0.1
2012 732 1 0.1
2013 95 1 1.0 1 1.0
2014 165 10 6.1 4 2.4
2015 148 10 6.8 4 2.7 1 0.7
2016 1169 14 1.2 4 0.3
2017 1503 7 0.5 2 0.1
2019 140 3 2.1 2 1.4 1 0.7
2020 202 16 7.9 13 6.4
2021 325 9 2.8 13 4.0
2022 265 61 23.0 4 1.5 18 6.8
2023 114 28 24.6 1 0.9

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program

Water Temperature - Discrete Water Quality

Temperature determines the capacity of water to hold oxygen. Cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen because water molecules are more tightly packed, making it harder for oxygen to escape. Additionally, as water temperature increases, fish and other aquatic organisms become more active and consume oxygen at a faster rate.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Water Temperature
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Water Temperature
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 99762 1989 2023
69 42962 1996 2017
95 1165 1964 2018
103 158 2003 2021
477 156 2019 2023
540 133 2017 2022
60 78 1986 2015
115 38 1991 2004
5008 30 2021 2023

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
477 - Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resource Monitoring Program
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
60 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Fall & Summer Shrimp/Groundfish Survey
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
5008 - Project COAST (Coastal Assessment Team) - Springs Coast Ecosystem Region

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Water Temperature in Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve

Water Quality - Continuous

The following files were used in the continuous analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_NW-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation_NW-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_pH_NW-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Salinity_NW-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Turbidity_NW-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Water_Temperature_NW-2024-Feb-22.txt

Continuous Water Quality
Map showing Continuous Water Quality Monitoring sampling locations within the boundaries of Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve. Sites marked as Use In Analysis are featured in this report.

Dissolved Oxygen - Continuous Water Quality

02313700

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

02323566

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

02326526

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSDB

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSK

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSST

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSW

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

All Stations Combined

Continuous Water Quality
Continuous Water Quality
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Dissolved Oxygen
Station N_Data N_Years Period of Record Median tau SennIntercept SennSlope p
02313700 1113 5 2019 - 2023 6.5 -0.09 6.65 -0.02 0.7787
02323566 1298 9 2015 - 2023 1.1 -0.13 0.89 -0.08 0.0448
02326526 1312 8 2016 - 2023 9.3 -0.06 9.38 0.05 0.6979
2313700 397 2 2022 - 2023 5.8 - - - -
2323566 350 2 2022 - 2023 1.2 - - - -
2326526 392 2 2022 - 2023 9.7 - - - -
BBSDB 184327 10 2007 - 2016 7.3 -0.05 7.46 -0.01 0.6066
BBSSK 134287 10 2004 - 2015 7.1 0.28 6.6 0.09 0.0023
BBSST 111411 5 2019 - 2023 6.9 -0.14 6.72 -0.02 0.3964
BBSSW 182327 8 2009 - 2016 6.2 0 6 0 1.0000

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Continuous Water Quality

BBSDB

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSK

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSST

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSW

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

All Stations Combined

Continuous Water Quality
Continuous Water Quality
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
Station N_Data N_Years Period of Record Median tau SennIntercept SennSlope p
BBSDB 183530 10 2007 - 2016 97.6 -0.30 100.88 -0.81 0.0003
BBSSK 134196 10 2004 - 2015 91.8 0.12 93.37 0.36 0.2612
BBSST 114465 5 2019 - 2023 93.3 0.13 91.37 0.64 0.3964
BBSSW 182158 8 2009 - 2016 75.8 -0.05 79.14 -0.25 0.6835

pH - Continuous Water Quality

02313700

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

02323566

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

02326526

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSDB

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSK

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSST

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSW

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

All Stations Combined

Continuous Water Quality
Continuous Water Quality
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - pH
Station N_Data N_Years Period of Record Median tau SennIntercept SennSlope p
02313700 1047 5 2019 - 2023 7.6 0.04 7.62 0.03 0.2234
02323566 1238 9 2015 - 2023 7.2 -0.14 7.19 0 0.1310
02326526 1139 8 2016 - 2023 8.2 0.22 8.01 0.05 0.0233
2313700 354 2 2022 - 2023 7.5 - - - -
2323566 357 2 2022 - 2023 7.1 - - - -
2326526 386 2 2022 - 2023 8.2 - - - -
BBSDB 250183 10 2007 - 2016 8.1 -0.28 8.17 -0.02 0.0004
BBSSK 168278 10 2004 - 2015 8.1 -0.37 8.28 -0.04 0.0000
BBSST 121092 5 2019 - 2023 8.0 0.16 7.95 0.02 0.3533
BBSSW 224733 8 2009 - 2016 7.6 -0.29 7.8 -0.06 0.0017

Salinity - Continuous Water Quality

BBSDB

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSK

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSST

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSW

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

All Stations Combined

Continuous Water Quality
Continuous Water Quality
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Salinity
Station N_Data N_Years Period of Record Median tau SennIntercept SennSlope p
291652083064100 123 1 2000 - 2000 19.0 - - - -
BBSDB 265544 10 2007 - 2016 30.6 -0.53 33.78 -0.75 0.0000
BBSSK 178356 10 2004 - 2015 29.6 -0.22 30.77 -0.21 0.0197
BBSST 121984 5 2019 - 2023 28.6 0.21 26.79 0.5 0.1594
BBSSW 221696 8 2009 - 2016 7.5 -0.23 10.39 -0.65 0.0160

Turbidity - Continuous Water Quality

BBSDB

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSK

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSST

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSW

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

All Stations Combined

Continuous Water Quality
Continuous Water Quality
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Turbidity
Station N_Data N_Years Period of Record Median tau SennIntercept SennSlope p
BBSDB 224613 10 2007 - 2016 1 0.49 1.47 1.22 0.0000
BBSSK 165043 10 2004 - 2015 5 0.11 6.35 0.30 0.1867
BBSST 125246 5 2019 - 2023 4 -0.15 6.58 -0.57 0.3149
BBSSW 202699 8 2009 - 2016 6 -0.35 12.41 -0.99 0.0001

Water Temperature - Continuous Water Quality

02313700

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

02323566

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

02326526

National Water Information System (7)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSDB

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSK

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSST

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

BBSSW

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (471)
Continuous Water Quality

All Stations Combined

Continuous Water Quality
Continuous Water Quality
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Water Temperature
Station N_Data N_Years Period of Record Median tau SennIntercept SennSlope p
02313700 1030 5 2019 - 2023 25.00 -0.04 24.75 0.03 0.9195
02323566 1332 9 2015 - 2023 22.70 0.47 22.51 0.04 0.0000
02323592 478 2 2022 - 2023 21.70 - - - -
02326526 1261 8 2016 - 2023 22.00 -0.02 23.14 0.04 0.5177
02326550 475 2 2022 - 2023 20.80 - - - -
2313700 338 2 2022 - 2023 27.40 - - - -
2323566 364 2 2022 - 2023 22.80 - - - -
2326526 335 2 2022 - 2023 24.00 - - - -
291652083064100 92 1 2000 - 2000 18.35 - - - -
BBSDB 265988 10 2007 - 2016 23.20 0.08 22.34 0.04 0.2922
BBSSK 179213 10 2004 - 2015 21.70 -0.33 25.19 -0.37 0.0002
BBSST 128489 5 2019 - 2023 23.60 0.16 24.34 0.15 0.3149
BBSSW 227996 8 2009 - 2016 23.70 0.02 23.09 0.01 0.9025

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

The data file used is: All_SAV_Parameters-2024-Feb-23.txt

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) refers to plants and plant-like macroalgae species that live entirely underwater. The two primary categories of SAV inhabiting Florida estuaries are benthic macroalgae and seagrasses. They often grow together in dense beds or meadows that carpet the seafloor. Macroalgae include multicellular species of green, red and brown algae that often live attached to the substrate by a holdfast. They tend to grow quickly and can tolerate relatively high nutrient levels, making them a threat to seagrasses and other benthic habitats in areas with poor water quality. In contrast, seagrasses are grass-like, vascular, flowering plants that are attached to the seafloor by extensive root systems. Seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, including protected bays and lagoons as well as deeper offshore waters on the continental shelf. Seagrasses have taken advantage of the broad, shallow shelf and clear water to produce two of the most extensive seagrass beds anywhere in continental North America.

Parameters

Percent Cover measures the fraction of an area of seafloor that is covered by SAV, usually estimated by evaluating multiple small areas of seafloor. Percent cover is often estimated for total SAV, individual types of vegetation (seagrass, attached algae, drift algae) and individual species.

Frequency of Occurrence was calculated as the number of times a taxon was observed in a year divided by the number of sampling events, multiplied by 100. Analysis is conducted at the quadrat level and is inclusive of all quadrats (i.e., quadrats evaluated using Braun-Blanquet, modified Braun-Blanquet, and percent cover.”

Species

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is the largest of the Florida seagrasses, with longer, thicker blades and deeper root structures than any of the other seagrasses. It is considered a climax seagrass species.

Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) is an early colonizer of vegetated areas and usually grows in water too shallow for other species except widgeon grass. It can often tolerate larger salinity ranges than other seagrass species. Shoal grass is characterized by thin, flat blades, that are narrower than turtle grass blades.

Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) is easily recognizable because its leaves are thin and cylindrical instead of the flat, ribbon-like form shared by many other seagrass species. The leaves can grow up to half a meter in length. Manatee grass is usually found in mixed seagrass beds or small, dense monospecific patches.

Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) grows in both fresh and salt water and is widely distributed throughout Florida’s estuaries in less saline areas, particularly in inlets along the east coast. This species resembles shoal grass in certain environments but can be identified by the pointed tips of its leaves.

Three species of Halophila spp. are found in Florida - Star grass (Halophila engelmannii), Paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), and Johnson’s seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). These are smaller, more fragile seagrasses than other Florida species and are considered ephemeral. They grow along a single long rhizome, with short blades. These species are not well-studied, although surveys are underway to define their ecological roles.

Notes

Star grass, Paddle grass, and Johnson’s seagrass will be grouped together and listed as Halophila spp. in the following managed areas. This is because several surveys did not specify to the species level:

  • Banana River Aquatic Preserve

  • Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

  • Indian River-Vero Beach to Ft. Pierce Aquatic Preserve

  • Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve

  • Loxahatchee River-Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve

  • Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

  • Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve

  • Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

SAV - Temporal Scope
Maps showing the temporal scope of SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve by Program name.

Sampling locations by Program:

SAV - Sampling Map
Map showing SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve. The point size reflects the number of samples at a given sampling site.

Northern Big Bend Seagrass Monitoring - Program 559
N_Data YearMin YearMax Collection Method Sample Locations
537 2012 2018 Modified Braun Blanquet 195
Big Bend Seagrasses & Nature Coast Aquatic Preserves - Seagrass Monitoring - Program 560
N_Data YearMin YearMax Collection Method Sample Locations
21887 2000 2023 Modified Braun Blanquet 125
2637 2022 2023 Percent Cover 99
SAV
Median percent cover by species in Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve. Linear mixed-effects models are applied to each species to produce species trends. The trendlines are then isolated and reproduced below for ease of viewing. The LME results are available in table form beneath the supplemental trendplot below.
SAV
SAV
SAV

SAV
Generalized additive models for each species in Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve. Species must have at least 10 years of data to be evaluated.

Drift algae, Total seagrass, Attached algae, and Total SAV are excluded from the analyses.